Ohio Department of Health reports first human case of bird flu. What we know

The Ohio Department of Health, on Wednesday, reported the state’s first probable human case of influenza A(H5), also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. It reported an adult male Mercer County farm worker who was in contact with deceased commercial poultry was infected with the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the current risk of bird flu for the general public to be low. However, people with close and prolonged, unprotected contact with infected birds are at greater risk.

“Ohio is experiencing the largest outbreak of positive detections in commercial poultry to date, which requires critical action from our department and our federal partners, to contain and prevent the spread of disease,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “As we continue to respond to these incidents, our staff on site continues to educate farmers and their workers on best biosecurity practices. We strongly encourage all Ohio farmers to use good biosecurity to help keep disease away from the farm.”

Guidance for the General Public

The department said the risk of acquiring bird flu to the general U.S. population is low. The best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid exposure whenever possible. As a general precaution, whenever possible, people should avoid direct contact with wild birds or sick or dead poultry or other animals.

“While the risk to Ohioans is low, the best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid unprotected exposures to sick or dead birds or to their environment,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA. “People should avoid direct contact with poultry or wild birds and take proper precautions, including reaching out for guidance regarding personal protection and safe handling, if you must be around sick or dead birds.”

Contact your local health department or local veterinarian for further guidance before you approach sick or dead poultry or wild birds.

Guidance for Those Who Work With Birds

The department said poultry owners or people who have backyard flocks should practice good biosecurity and prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. If you must handle sick birds or other animals, you should:

· Use personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, N95 respirator (if available) or a well-fitting facemask, and eye protection.

· Wash your hands thoroughly after touching birds or sick animals.

· Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or animals or after handling materials that may have been in contact with them.

· Change your clothing before contact with healthy birds and animals and again after you’ve dealt with sick ones.

More information about best biosecurity practices for farmers and other individuals can be found on both the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) websites.

Contact your local health department or local veterinarian for further guidance before you approach sick or dead poultry or wild birds.

Background on Bird Flu Cases in Humans

The department said nationally, there have been 68 confirmed human cases of HPAI in 11 states since the beginning of 2024, which included one death in Louisiana. All but three of these cases involved exposures related to commercial agriculture and related operations or wild birds. In Ohio, one dairy herd and numerous poultry flocks have been infected since the outbreak began in 2022.

There are no known cases of human-to-human transmission.